… because the best is already mine 😎!
I first met Mvuyo in high school, at the Arrive Alive provincials debating tournament. Mvuyo was part of the team that won the tournament and went on to represent the province at nationals. I rather admired him, with his scrolled up blazer, serious and no-nonsense posture. I remember how his teacher, Mr Fischer, couldn’t stop telling me about how brilliant he was at everything else while we waited for adjudication on one of our first debates.
We didn’t really chat or hang out at the tournament, but we stared each other down every time we were in the same room. We met again at our very first meeting at the Wits Debating Union as first years. He was studying biomedical engineering. We became friends almost instantly and went on to become debate partners and roommates.
Our conversations from West Campus on Thursday after debate practice, are the reason Mvuyo and I became the best of friends. We could dream dreams about changing the world, me through media and the power of storytelling, and him, through changing the face of public health. It was during one of those conversations that Mvuyo first told me about how diseases spread through contact and felt an urgency to do something about it. He has consistently been concerned with the future of our public health system.
Since our undergrad days of drinking cheap beer at the fencing pub, Mvuyo went on to pursue a masters degree in engineering with a heavy focus on public health after resigning from a career in banking. He now works as a data manager for the centre for respiratory disease and meningitis and I can’t wait to witness his contribution toward global public health.
“Don’t apologize for knowing your worth,” would have to be the top lesson Mvuyo has taught me. He is both incredibly intelligent and kind. He knows what he wants, goes for it with inspiring determination and shows up for those he loves.
Being friends with Mvuyo has been the most liberating thing to happen to me. I can freely be myself with him. I can freely talk to him about the most complicated subjects, and equally, share my most intimate vulnerabilities with him.
When I am with him, I am a joyful black queer boy, able to dream dreams of hope, I am one who values being in the world.
Mogurl, you have been an incredible source of joy, strength and inspiration in this rocky road called life. I am proudest to call you my friend, I celebrate who you are every other day and I am proud, to grow old and bold with you!
Happy 30th!
Author, Journalist and Traveller.